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The Mode of Baptism
By Dr. G. Reckart & David Olson


"The Questions Often Asked"

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Does it really matter how I am baptized?

Yes, it matters!  You could be baptized with an honest heart and have been baptized in a manner that is not found in the Bible.  Take this little clue to help you see how important this is:  Jesus was crucified and then buried in a tomb.  Get that, he was buried in a grave.  His body was placed in burial chamber which in many cases was a vertical shaft with a hole at the top over which a stone was rolled and placed.  New Testament baptisms are exactly in manner as old Jewish convert mikvah baptisms.  These washings of regeneration from being a Gentile to becoming a Jew were done by immersion, a complete placing of the human body under water.  The name of God was invoked over this convert by the Priest or Rabbi baptizer as the body lay submerged.  In these waters of separation a convert came under the authority of the name of God.  Since Jesus was God manifest in the flesh (1Tim 3:16) it is his name now to be invoked over the buried convert while submerged.  At no time was there a practice to sprinkle water on a convert and call this baptism.

Water baptism is quite significant according to the word of God. It signifies our burial with Christ as he was buried and our resurrection with him as he was resurrected. The coming out of the water signifies that we are also resurrected into a newness of life as Christ was resurrected and Glorified. The Bible states that those who have chosen the way of Christ shall take off mortal and put on immortal. The bible also states that we also shall have Glorified bodies that will live eternally. The method of Baptism is important in that you are telling God that you believe what his word says and not what some Priest, Pastor or any other leader of any other faith has to say. When you obey the method of baptism, you are telling God you believe and are wanting and willing to follow HIS WORD, HIS WAY. Lets observe the written word concerning the above written statements. Lets always observe what the word of God has to say:

Romans: 6:4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 Corinthians: 15:50-54: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Acts: 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts: 8:12: But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts:10:48: And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts:19:5: When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Romans: 6:3-4: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Gal: 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 

Back to the questions

I have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Isn't that good enough?

NO! It is not good enough.  Scholars are now confessing we are right and that the text of Matthew 28:19 was altered in the second century. They claim the original wording was "baptizing them in my name".  This agrees with Luke's record of the same event.  According to the scholars, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, were taken from liturgy and interpolated into this scripture.  Therefore, we conclude to use the wording placed in the text is false.  We should go back to the original wording of Jesus and baptise in his name.

This topic is one of the most commonly misinterpreted lines of scripture in the entire New Testament. Let's take a look at what the verse of Scripture says after it was altered and see if can mean something different:

Matthew: 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

The Apostles were instructed to teach and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. So what did they do? The following is the first record of their obedience to baptism in the NAME the above commandment given to them by the Lord Jesus. Let's see what the Apostle Petet commanded the crowd in Jerusalem while they stood with the 120 in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:12-2:38).  The multitude ask: "men and brethren what shall we do?"

Acts: 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

That's right friend, they commanded baptism in the NAME of JESUS CHRIST. This proves the original statement of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 was followed.  It shows why they did not baptise using the titles "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" because this was not in the Bible when the Apostles were alive. The Apostles knew very well what Jesus was instructing them to do in baptism as they had walked with him, while he healed and taught during  his ministry. There was no doubt in their minds as to the name that should be used for baptism. Let's observe the above scripture in its content. It says in the name (singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; not the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. There is only one name by which we are to be baptized. That name is Jesus. Let's see what the Bible says:

Isaiah: 43:11: I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

Isaiah: 43:25: I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Acts: 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

1 Timothy: 3:16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Confirmed, there is only one name whereby we must be saved, the Apostles knew it and they commanded baptism under it. Lets not let this topic be confused any longer friends. Jesus is the only name that can wash away our sins. His name is given all power in Heaven and in Earth. Jesus said:

Matthew: 28:18: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

If you truly believe what Jesus said then why would any one want to be baptized under any other method or name? There is only One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism:

Ephesians: 4:5: One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

Let's not let this issue become misinterpreted any longer friends. Let me ask you all this one question concerning this topic. If your soul depended on your reactions to the written word, (and it does), then what will you do now that you have seen what is written? What do you have to loose? Your soul. What do you have to gain? Eternal life. How much faith do you place on these particular scriptures that instruct us as to what we must do? The choice is yours.

To learn more on the Matthew 28:19 Father, Son, Holy Ghost baptismal passage, click on the following link: Is Matthew 28:19 Spurious by Pastor Cohen G. Reckart. Pastor Reckart's writing on Matthew 28:19 is very extensive and also contains many authoritative commentaries by well known men of God, concerning this passage. It would behove you to read this document.

 

Back to the questions

My church says it isn't necessary to be baptized in Jesus name. What does the Bible say?

Your Church is wrong!  New Testament baptism comes from old Jewish convert Mikvah.  In conversion to Judaism mikvah baptism was essential.  It is the place where there was a separation from the Gentile life into a Jewish life.  This mikvah was the waters of separation.  In these waters the necessary mind of faith for circumcision was confessed.  This faith and circumcison placed the convert under the promises of Abraham.  The convert had no choice but to go through these waters of sanctification.  New Testament baptism has in it the same faith. Therefore this mikvah is not of works, it is not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (like a daily bath), but it is the answer of a good conscience toward God.  If your church told you baptism was not essential for salvation; if your church told you baptism was a work of man; if your church told you, you could be saved without it: THEY LIED TO YOU!

This topic was covered somewhat in the heading "Does it really matter how I am baptized". However there is more I have to add concerning this particular heading which I believe needs to be clarified. The first being the church we find ourselves currently attending. If you are attending a church that is not implementing the entire written truth from the pulpit, then you need to ask yourself the following questions:

Choose your Spiritual leaders wisely...

1John: 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Jude: 1:4: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew: 7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew: 24:11: And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Mark: 13:22: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

2 Corinthians: 11:12-13: But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2 Peter: :2:1: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

In addressing the church body, let me add to the above paragraph; it does not matter what name any denomination calls itself. It does not matter where any denomination has its geographical roots. It does not matter how large the body of this denomination is as compared to that of the rest of the world's denominations (or separations as I call them). It does not matter if the man preaching to you has a Ph.D. or is a Theologian and well versed in bible doctrine. All that matters is "Is the whole truth of the original Biblical Manuscripts being preached across that pulpit and does the church and the man standing behind that pulpit walk in those words that are being preached? And, does that man instruct that the body of the church he has been called to lead should walk in those written words likewise? That is the true importance. We often find ourselves assembled in the House of God as though we were going to some sort of social group meeting. We see young ladies scantly dressed in the house of God. We see and hear unholy conduct being committed in the house of God.What is this friends? The house of God is a place of worship. Are we mocking God? Ask yourself this question and pretend you are standing in front of your creator. We cannot lie to him friend. He knows every thought in our minds. He is omniscient:

Job: 42:2: I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee;

Psalms 139:1-6: O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Ask yourself, "are my actions that of a Christian", or as defined (Christ-like)? I ask myself this very question daily. And I would endeavor to say that we should all constantly be asking ourselves this question daily.Now concerning the necessity of baptism as instructed by one's church leaders. I would answer with the following:

"Trust your soul to no man's words. Verify that every word preached is in accordance to the written word of God. The Bible instructs us to do so:"

1 John: 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

If Jesus didn't think it important enough for the apostles to preach baptism into HIS name, he would not have instructed them to do so. He is Lord. He is the author of the written commandments. He shall make the final judgments based upon our faith in those commandments. Obey HIS commandments and you will be saved. I will say again that friends, times, men, women, opinions, technologies, civilizations and to add DOCTRINES have changed, but the word of God, as it is written, is sound, unchanging, and eternal. The scriptures concerning the mode of baptism were previously addressed under the heading "Does it really matter how I am baptized". Please review them if you still don't understand the importance of the mode of baptism as written in the Bible. The choice is yours. You are free to walk and believe in anything you like, but I would pray that you would read the New Testament and study the headings "Repentance, Baptism and the Holy Ghost". May the Lord open our eyes to understanding as we seek to know the truth.

 

Back to the questions

What is the significance of total immersion baptism. Isn't the sprinkling of water just as good?

No, sprinkling is not good enough!  Jewish convert mikvah baptism were all by immersion.  NONE of them were by sprinkling.  New Testament conversion baptism is a mikvah immersion.  Until you have been immersed properly in the name of Jesus Messiah for the remission of sins, you do not have a valid baptism.  You may have a church baptism based upon traditions of men, but it was not according to the original scripture in your Bible.

In the Old Testament we find that God made a covenant with Abraham. Of all the Covenants between God and men, the one most highly honored by the Jews was that made with Abraham. Why do you suppose this is true? Primarily because this Covenant required complete faith and belief in God's Word. Accompanying this Covenant was a specific ritual commanded by God unto Abraham and to all that would be saved:

The Old Covenant:

Genesis: 17:13: He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Circumcision was a necessary ceremony for all Jewish men. Without circumcision, it was impossible to become part of Abraham's blessing as decreed by God. However, on the Day of Pentecost, the sign that one had entered into Covenant was replaced with a new identification mark. This mark was called baptism. While natural Israelites were circumcised in the flesh, spiritual Israelites are now circumcised "in the heart":

The New Covenant:

Colossians: 2:11-12: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Romans: 2:28-29: For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Most of Peter's audience at Pentecost were familiar with John the Baptists' preparatory water baptism in the Jordan River. But this new baptism was to be the initiating rite of Christ's New Covenant. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find a ceremony conducted that would make God and man Blood Covenant partners except for water baptism. This stresses the importance of quickly being baptized and correlates with the command of circumcision under the Old Covenant. Abraham circumcised the men of his household the same day (Genesis: 17:23). We must not act in haste. Repentence, Baptism, and the Holy Spirit are the required commandments under the Plan of Salvation God has ordained in the New Testament. Not one of us knows the number of our days. To leave this world without fulfilling these commandments in our lives is to leave without Salvation. Our souls are eternal and, as such, have and eternal destiny. Obedience to the commandments is the only way to fall under the grace and mercy of God's Plan of Salvation. In Mark's recording of the Great Commission, Jesus commanded:

Mark: 16:16: He that beleiveth and is baptized shall be saved.

The Greek word Baptismo means to dip something into a fluid and then take it out again. The specific mode of baptism was always immersion. It was described as a burial:

Colossians: 2:12: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

"Sprinkling"  baptisms came from pagan temples and was borrowed by the Roman Catholic Church. It is completely a man-made ritual not found in the Bible.  They try to make it fit into the Bible by mistrepresenting the words of Scripture, but this is wrong. Sprinkling baptisms are nowhere validated in the written word of God. All the prerequisites for baptism exclude infants. A person must acknowledge and confess his sins and understand the message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection to be eligible for salvation. Since infants are incapable of being taught, repenting, or believing, they could not qualify for baptism. So why do we continue to use this technique today? Once again I state that it is derived from ancient Roman ritualism. This is something which was added to the original form of doctrine thereby being invalid according to the written word of God. A child is sealed unto God by the faith his or her parents have shown until the coming of age when they are able to make their own decisions. "Sprinkling" therefore is neither merited or honored anywhere in the Word of God. It is completly a man-made ritual.

 

Back to the questions

I have heard many controversies concerning infant baptism. What does the bible say about this issue?

Infants were not baptized in ancient Jewish convert mikvah baptisms and we conclude from the absence of mention of infant baptisms in the New Testament that they were not practiced.

Absolutely nothing then is mention about infant baptisms. This method was explained under the previous heading. But for the sake of reminding, let's observe it once again: "Sprinkling" began in ancient church history for the purpose of baptizing infants. However, all the prerequisites for baptism exclude infants. A person must acknowledge and confess his sins and understand the message of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection to be eligible for salvation. Since infants are incapable of being taught, repenting, or believing, they could not qualify for baptism. So why do we continue to use this technique today? Once again I state that it is derived from ancient church ritualism. This is something which was added to the original form of doctrine thereby being nullified by the original written word of God. A child is sealed unto God by the faith his or her parents have shown until the coming of age when they are able to make their own decisions.

"Sprinkling" therefore is neither merited or honored anywhere in the Word of God. It is a man-made ritual. Let me add to this. Would you say your child is innocent and not a sinner? If you think he is innocent, think again. A parent doesn't have to teach his or her child to tell a lie. He will do it on his own when confronted with a situation that will spare himself or herself punishment or gain something desired. It is in our nature to sin. We are born sinners. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden in Genesis: 3:1-24 that sin nature was inherently passed down through our lineage. This is the reason Jesus commands that we be born again of the Spirit, with a new nature:

John: 3:5-6: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

You can sprinkle all the water you want on your child's head, but until he comes of age where he is able to make his own decisions concerning his faith and his beliefs, your just wetting his little head. Once again your child is sealed unto God by your faith until he or she becomes old enough to make that decision. It is our responsibility therefore to be the teachers of God's Word to our children so that the children might understand what he is to either have faith in or turn away from when he has reached the appropriate age of decision making. Every man, woman, and child will bow before Christ on the Day of Judgment.

Proverbs: 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Philippians: 2:10-11: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Back to the questions

What if I choose not to be baptized in the name of Jesus and be totally immersed into water? Can I still be saved?

No, you cannot be saved!

Choice is a gift that God has given to every man woman and child upon the earth. Even an infant makes his own choices dependent on what little knowledge he has of choice. We know this, we are all sinners and have committed sin in our lives. This is something we must all admit to ourselves as a first step to understanding our inherited nature as spoken in the above paragraphs. Now the choice is what do we do about this. In our own selves, we can do nothing. If we live out our lives without the power of the Holy Spirit of God dwelling inside of each of us, we have no power to overcome temptation that this world and the prince of this world has to offer us.Times have changed, and the method of sins we commit daily have changed, but the basic root of our sin nature still lies within the advanced age we now live in. To say we have no sin is to be ignorant of our own actions and to deny the word of God. Lets examine what the word of God says to the church that in that day had already been baptized into Jesus name and had already received the Holy Ghost:

1 John: 1:8-10: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Once again, this letter was written by John to the church. The church had sin in it and still does to this day. The bible instructs us to put off our old nature and to put on our new nature once we are born again by the obedience of repentance and Jesus name water baptism; and by receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. However, this is not to say that there will not be any stumbling along the way. And this is not a license to sin either. The Bible instructs us to strive toward perfection even though we live in an imperfect sin natured body. The spirit of a born again believer struggles with the flesh daily and must walk in the spirit daily to overcome the deeds of the flesh. The power to overcome is only found in Jesus and his Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians: 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians: 4:22-24: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians: 3:9: Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

2 Corinthians: 13:9: For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

Hebrews: 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Ephesians: 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2 Corinthians: 3-6: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

1Peter: 2:11: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Now what about those who don't have the Holy Spirit and say they live a good moral life? What about them? Do we know their thoughts? God does. I guarantee you even the most morally persistent person in this world will at one time think a sinful thought that God will already know of. Is a thought a sin? It sure is. Jesus said if you even look at a woman to lust you have already committed adultry in your heart:

Matthew: 5:28: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Can this apply for a woman as well? It sure can and does. So what do we say to those individuals and to every individual who is not in the church and has not been baptized in Jesus name and has not received the Holy Ghost. We say why not? If what you have just read is true, and you confirm it with the word of God, then whatever you say about the context of this site or how it makes you feel will make no difference if it does not make a change; starting in your heart. This change should be directed toward God and his truth. We need to fear him, for when we face him, his Deity and Power will be revealed and feared. Why don't we just accept him and find the true Grace and Joy that he offers when we come to him humbly? Our pride (whether that of a man of woman) gets us into more trouble than we understand. We need to put it behind our lives, go bury it somewhere, then never dig it up again. So hard to do, isn't it my friend? May God guide us all through his word and his spirit. May his grace and mercy be extended upon your soul. Remember the formula for salvation: Repentance, Baptism in Jesus name, and Receiving the Holy Ghost, (Acts:2:38-39).

 

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